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The court heard that despite saying he would regularly fall over Griffin maintained a season ticket at Nottingham Forest FC in the higher part of a stands upper tier and was an active member of the town’s bowls club.

He was also spotted standing for two hours selling poppies, helping a friend fix a roof and working on his allotment.

The court heard Griffin - who was injured in a fall in 1997 - first claimed DLA in 2003 after suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

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Town Mayor Brian Griffin is caught on video laying a wreath at the town memorial while claiming disability benefits

Brian Griffin, 76, was caught in the act conning taxpayers out of thousands of pounds when he was filmed by fraud surveillance teams undertaking his mayoral duties on November 11, 2012

Griffin received £13,448.95 in disability living allowance after claiming he could not walk more than 10 metres

But his condition improved over the years and he failed to inform the authorities in his change of circumstances.

Prosecuting Frederick Powell told the court the DWP had first been alerted to Griffin’s improving condition by an anonymous tip from a member of the public.

He said: 'The claim was this his walking was limited to ten metres, that he had problems with his balance and that he used crutches and a walking stick.

'The DWP received an internet complaint that Brian Griffin was more capable than he told, having been seen to walk long distances.

'He used his stick, but it was more for show than assistance.

'Further more it stated that he was the mayor of Eastwood and carried out his role with no problem, making numerous appearances at events.

This is not a victimless crime, the DLA is there for people who need it, they are the victims, the people who need this money

'Surveillance was carried out between September and November 2012.

'During this period Brian Griffin was seen to walk long distances and to carry out tasks he had stated on the claim form he was unable to do.

'He was seen to attend Nottingham Forest Football Club, to work on an allotment, selling poppies in a local shop and taking part in the Remembrance Day parade.

'There he was seen to walk in excess of 1,800m. I will remind you his original form said 10m.

'He was using his walking stick, but he barely grounded it and he was also carrying a wreath and remained on foot the whole period.

'This is not a victimless crime, the DLA is there for people who need it, they are the victims, the people who need this money.'

Griffin, who was mayor of Eastwood twice in 2010/11 and 2012/13, had denied the charge but JPs rejected this after they were shown nearly two hours of footage detailing Mr Griffin’s frequent exertions.

He had claimed DWP investigators caught him 'on a good day' when he they filmed him at the Remembrance Day parade.

Giving evidence he said: 'I was an active member of the community, my injury stopped that. It was a fall down some small steps and I thought I was OK.

'I try to walk because the doctors told me if I don’t I will lose my leg, but I suffer later for it.

'Remembrance was one of my good days, I made the effort to go and suffered for it later. I have been forced to miss it in the past.'

He told the court that his season ticket at Nottingham Forest had been bought by his nephews to bring him out of a deep depression when his wife Joanne died of brain cancer seven years ago.

Griffin claimed that rather than seeking assistance from fellow fans he pulled himself up the steep Brian Clough Stand steps using just his walking stick.

Defending Jessica Vogel said Griffin, whose benefits were taken away from him when he was reassessed by a doctor last year, was already repaying what he owed.

He was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on August 21.

Speaking after the verdict DWP fraud manager Paul Baggaley said: 'It is our duty to ensure that benefit payments go to those who really need them and we are committed to cracking down on those who play the system.

'Our welfare reforms are vital to close the gaps that cheats take advantage of.

'It is unfair that some people get support when they do not have a disability, while many people depend on the benefits system to provide a safety net.

'Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime.

'Don’t wait for our fraud investigators to find you. Tell us of a change now.'